Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo, with the Bournemouth forward poised to complete a medical on Thursday as part of a blockbuster £65 million transfer.
Momentum around the move is expected to accelerate once Bournemouth conclude their Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night. Head coach Andoni Iraola has already confirmed that Semenyo will be involved in the match, while conceding that it could mark the winger’s final outing in a Cherries shirt.
All the key elements of the transfer are already in place. City are set to activate the £65m release clause embedded in Semenyo’s contract, a clause that expires on Friday. Despite widespread interest from several Premier League heavyweights, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea, Manchester City remain the only club to formally approach Bournemouth and take concrete steps toward triggering the clause.
Andoni Iraola braces for life without Semenyo as Man City links grow louder
Chelsea explored the possibility of a deal earlier but opted not to proceed, while Tottenham have since redirected their attention to alternative targets. City’s decisive move has effectively put them in pole position to secure the 25-year-old’s signature.
The transfer is also set to deliver a financial boost to Bristol City. The Championship club negotiated a 20 per cent sell-on clause when they sold Semenyo to Bournemouth in January 2023 for a fee in the region of £10 million. Should the move to City be finalised, the Robins will pocket a sizeable share of the profit.
From a sporting perspective, Semenyo is viewed as a valuable addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad, offering pace, power and tactical flexibility across the frontline. City insiders have played down suggestions that his arrival could impact the futures of Savinho or Omar Marmoush, with the club keen to retain both players regardless of the outcome of this deal.
Andoni Iraola opens up on Semenyo’s uncertain Bournemouth future
Semenyo has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Bournemouth, emerging as one of their most influential performers, while also maintaining his importance to Ghana’s Black Stars. A transfer to the Etihad Stadium would mark a significant leap forward in his career, placing him on one of the biggest stages in European football.
